Lenovo has unveiled IdeaPad U1 hybrid notebook, which comes with a detachable screen that allows consumers to use two PCs in one device, each with its own processor and operating system that work together and independently as either a clamshell laptop or a multitouch slate tablet.
The company claims that the IdeaPad U1’s fashionable scarlet red exterior has a footprint smaller than a piece of notebook paper and is paired with a 3.8 pound thin and light design. It allows users to remove the screen to switch from clamshell mode into a multitouch slate tablet.
According to Lenovo, the notebook boasts 11.6-inch HD LED screen and runs on Windows 7. It becomes an independent slate tablet with an ARM processor, running Skylight operating system when the 1.6 pound, multitouch screen is removed. The two devices can synchronise to work as one with the ability to share battery power, 3G wireless, data and documents. The base laptop system can serve as a hub and docking station and the slate tablet as a mobile device.
The hybrid notebook also features a ‘Me’ centric tablet interface for landscape and portrait viewing. It allows users to switch between six-section and four section displays. U1’s six-section screen display is designed to enhance the mobile internet experience by allowing users multitouch access multiple web-based applications at once such as email, calendars, RSS readers and social networking web sites, the company said.
The company said that the IdeaPad U1’s laptop and tablet modes each support more than five hours of 3G web browsing and 60 hours of 3G standby. In addition, the new notebook also comes with integrated video camera and two stereo speakers with integrated microphone with echo cancellation.
Liu Jun, senior vice president of idea product group at Lenovo, said: “The IdeaPad U1 hybrid notebook is a game-changing technology in the PC industry that lets user switch their PC experience within a single device to match their dynamic lifestyle. By fusing the functionality of a notebook with the slate tablet’s rich multitouch entertainment and mobile internet experience, U1 provides consumers the freedom to choose the device they prefer for any activity.”
The Lenovo IdeaPad U1 hybrid notebook is expected to be available on June 1, 2010, with an estimated retail price of $999.
